Unleashing "Operation Spiderweb": A Deep Dive into Ukraine's Surprising Drone Strike on Russian Bombers
The Unprecedented Attack
Covert Investigation: Operation Spiderweb Unveiled - "Aerial Attack through Drone Operation" - Information Regarding the Incident
In a bold move that turned heads across the globe, Ukraine orchestrated a daring drone attack on Russian military airfields, a move likely to be remembered as one of the significant intelligence victories since the war's onset. The airfields, located over 4,300 kilometers away from the front lines, housed strategic bombers that have been routinely used to launch missile attacks on Ukraine.
The Aftermath: A Closer Look
Striking Airfields
Ukraine and Russia both reported that four airfields saw attacks: Dyagilevo, Olenya, Ivanovo Severny, Belaya in Irkutsk, and the planned, but ultimately aborted attack on the airfield in Ukrainka. These fields are home to numerous strategic bombers involved in Russia's air power projection and attacks on Ukraine.
The Damage Done
The SBU, responsible for the operation, claimed that a total of 41 aircraft, including A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160, were hit by drones. The estimated damage was set at over $7 billion, with Russia losing 34% of its strategic bomber fleet. However, these figures couldn't be independently verified.
Satellite images released on June 2 indicate that Russia likely lost at least ten bombers on the Belaya airfield alone. Also, verified videos showed several machines destroyed or severely damaged on the Olenya airfield, while initial satellite images for comparison were not immediately available. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian center for combating disinformation, claimed at least 13 destroyed aircraft with many more damaged.
Russia officially acknowledged that "several aircraft" were set ablaze by FPV drones on the Belaya and Olenya airfields. Reports of the extent of the damage from the Russian Ministry of Defense were not specific. The Russian military blogger collective Rybar, however, also spoke of several Tu-95 machines being destroyed and suggested the circulating videos as evidence.
How It All Went Down
Reports began to circulate on Sunday evening, citing SBU sources, that explosive-laden drones were hidden in the roofs of wooden shacks, which were later transported to the air force support points by trucks. Once the roof panels were remotely opened, the drones took flight and struck their targets. The SBU officially confirmed this procedure on Monday. Rybar and other pro-Russian military bloggers also endorsed this method. Some videos online are said to show drones taking off from a truck.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that a total of "117 drones and a corresponding number of drone pilots were deployed" in the operation. SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk stated that the attack was logistically "extremely complex."
The Planning of "Operation Web"
Operation "Spiderweb" was meticulously planned and took more than a year and a half to come to fruition. Zelensky personally supervised the operation, which involved smuggling drones into Russia, hiding them in wooden huts, just a stone's throw away from the FSB headquarters. The "office" for the operation was located near the FSB headquarters in one of their regions.
On Sunday, videos were published online, purportedly showing the location of the drones' storage and assembly before the trucks transported them to their deployment locations. However, the warehouse's suspected location in Chelyabinsk remains elusive, as traces of the explosive Hexogen were reportedly found during a search conducted there.
International Reactions and Implications
The success of Operation Spiderweb has caused discussions in some international circles regarding the ongoing conflict, with some talks inclining towards a reassessment of the U.S.'s stance on supporting Ukraine. Operation Spiderweb was one in a series of increasingly daring raids by Ukraine, including an underwater attack on the Crimean Bridge, demonstrating an escalation in Ukraine's military strategy.
Ukraine's brazen and successful attack on Russian bombers showcases the nation's evolving military capabilities and exposes vulnerabilities in Russia's defenses. The aftermath of Operation Spiderweb will have lasting impacts on the ongoing conflict, as both sides seek to gain the upper hand in this asymmetric warfare.
The Commission has also been consulted on the potential implications of the unprecedented drone attack on Russian bombers, given its impact on general news, politics, and war-and-conflicts. This move by Ukraine may affect the global stance on supporting countries involved in such conflicts, particularly in the context of Operation Spiderweb.
